Jim Fenton has worked at The Enterprise since 1981 and began covering the Celtics in the 1985-86 championship season when Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish formed the Big 3. He was seated courtside for nearly every home game during the 22-
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Jim Fenton has worked at The Enterprise since 1981 and began covering the Celtics in the 1985-86 championship season when Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish formed the Big 3. He was seated courtside for nearly every home game during the 22-year title drought that came to an end in 2008 when the new Big 3 of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen turned things around.

The Celtics were back on the practice floor for about two hours on Thursday, preparing for their home opener after losing their first game in Miami on Tuesday.

The Milwaukee Bucks will visit the TD Garden on Friday night.

The Celtics gave up 120 points to the Heat, a number that only three other teams have reached in the regular season since the arrival of Kevin Garnett in 2007.

Defense was obviously a focal point of practice for Coach Doc Rivers, who blamed himself for giving the Celtics too much to think about because of an extra-long preparation time leading up to the opener .

"As individuals, we've got to take the blame because we were out there,'' said Paul Pierce. "There's no way we should give up (that many) points, no matter what type of defensive scheme we run. We might as well sit on the sideline and watch them run up and down the court if we're going to give up 120 points.''

Also at practice, Rivers and Rajon Rondo disputed Dwyane Wade, who called a last-minute flagrant foul by Rondo a "punk play.'' Rondo grabbed Wade, who was driving to the basket, around the neck.

"I thought it was non-descript,'' said Rivers. "He grabbed him around the shoulders. It wasn't that hard. So I think it's much ado about nothing, personally.''